The film was a co-production between the motion picture studios of MTV Films and Tollin/Robbins Productions. Theatrically and for the home video rental market, it was commercially distributed by Paramount Pictures. Coach Carter explores professional ethics, academics and athletics.[5] The sports action in the film was coordinated by the production company ReelSports. On January 11, 2005, the original motion picture soundtrack was released by the Capitol Records music label. The film score was composed and orchestrated by musician Trevor Rabin.

Coach Carter premiered in theaters nationwide in the United States on January 14, 2005 grossing $67,264,877 in domestic ticket receipts. The film took in an additional $9,404,929 in business through international release for a combined worldwide total of $76,669,806. Preceding its initial screening in cinemas, the film was generally met with positive critical reviews. With its initial foray into the home video marketplace; the widescreen DVD edition of the film featuring deleted scenes, a music video, and special features among other highlights, was released in the United States on June 21, 2005.

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Coach Ken Carter (Jackson) takes over the head coaching job for the basketball team at his old high school Richmond, having played on the team himself and earning unbeaten records. Carter quickly learns that the athletes are rude and disrespectful, and are in need of discipline. He hands the players individual contracts, instructing them to attend all of their classes, wear dress shirts and ties on game days, refer to everyone (players and coach alike) as "sir", and maintain a minimum 2.3 (C+) grade point average, among other requirements. Carter also asks the school staff for progress reports on the players' grades and attendance. He teaches them to play a disciplined brand of basketball.

In the gym, Carter is faced by hostility from the players and one player, Timo Cruz attempts to punch Carter. Cruz quits the team along with two other players, the supposed best on the team. Carter warns them that, if they are late for practice, then they will run laps, and, if they act disrespectful to him, then they will do push-ups. He then orders them to do a series of sprints (referred to in the film as 'suicides') for one hour. Later, Carter's son, Damien (Robert Andrew Richard), decides to join the team, after quitting the private school St. Francis. Shocked, Carter asks why he did this, and Damien tells him that he wants to play for his father. Carter agrees.

Kenyon Stone (Rob Brown) struggles to come to terms with his girlfriend, Kyra (Ashanti), being pregnant, unsure if he can juggle basketball and prepare for college as well. Later at a game, Cruz watches the team win and then asks Carter what he has to do for it to get back on to the team. Carter agrees but on one condition; he says that he needs to do 2,500 push-ups and 1,000 suicides before Friday, then he can get back on the team.

At the prom, Stone talks to his girlfriend about the baby and says he does not want to live this way. He asks her what she going to do after the baby is born and believes that she would not know what to do. She angrily responds to questions about the baby's future. She tells him that she is having the baby.

During practice Carter tells Cruz to give up, because it is impossible to complete all of the push ups and suicides by Friday. The team, helps Cruz by doing some of his push-ups and suicides getting him back on the team. On a game day, Carter asks Cruz what his biggest fear is, and Cruz was confused with what he was asking. Later, the team won the game.

Carter learns that one particular student does not attend classes; Junior Battle. Later in practice, Carter confronts Battle, who does not seem be to worried about it, so Carter and suspends him. After a confrontation Battle leaves the team in anger.

After Battle's mother asks Carter to let him back on the team. Carter says that he needs to hear that from Battle, himself. Battle apologizes for what he did and agrees to do a lot of push-ups and suicides to make up for it.

The team goes on to have an undefeated record, eventually winning a seasonal basketball tournament. The team go off to a party hosted by in a girl's house, without the knowledge of her parents. Carter goes to her house and orders his team to leave. In the bus home, Carter criticizes his team about this. They respond saying that Carter only wanted them to win games.

Back at school, Carter discovers that the progress reports show that some of the students have been skipping classes and failing academically. Carter locks the gym and sends his players to the Library to study with their teachers. This upsets the players, especially Cruz, who quits the team again, stating that he had tried so hard to do all those push-ups and suicides for Carter, to get back on the team in the first place.

Carter is criticized by parents and academic personnel alike for his decision to lock down the gym. The school board eventually confronts Carter who explains how he wants to give his team the opportunity and option for further education so that they won't resort to crime, asserting that achieving a sound education is more important for the students than winning basketball games. Carter's store window is broken for not letting the team play. The next day, someone taunts him about his decision to lock down the gym. Carter became enraged, but Damien calms him down by saying that he should just let it go.

Later that evening, while Cruz is hanging out with his drug dealer cousin Renny, he saves three of his teammates from being harassed by some gangsters, but when a drug deal goes wrong, his cousin is shot, leaving Cruz distraught. Cruz goes to the Carter's house and begs to be allowed back on the team. Carter comforts him and allows that.

The board holds an assembly about the lockout. Carter states that he wants to prevent his players from resorting to crime. A man suggests that Carter should be removed from the basketball coach position, the school refuses, which then leads him to suggest that they should end the lockout. Carter promises that he will quit if the lockout is ended. Principal Garrison (Dowse) and the chairman vote to not end the lockout, but the other board members vote in favor of ending it.

Carter is shocked to find his players in the gym with desks and teachers, studying and working to bring their grades back up. The athletes decide to fulfil Carter's original intention of them pursuing academic achievement before continuing to play their next game. Cruz answers Carter's question about fear and thanks him for saving his life. They work hard and eventually raise their grade point average to a point that fulfils their contracts.

Later, Stone talks to Kyra about the baby. She reveals that she had an abortion and tells Kenyon that he should go play basketball in college.

The Oilers eventually end up competing in the regional high school playoffs, but ultimately lose to St. Francis. Nevertheless, Carter is proud of his players accomplishing their goals of having a proper education while playing athletics. The film's epilogue displays a series of graphics stating that a number of players went on to attend college furthering their study, such as Kenyon, Lyle, Junior, Worm, Cruz, and Damien.

The original motion picture soundtrack for Coach Carter was released by the Capitol Records label on January 11, 2005. The score for the film was orchestrated by Trevor Rabin. An extensive list of songs is featured on the soundtrack, which differs from the soundtrack recording. The recording includes five songs which were not featured in the film: "About da Game" by Trey Songz; "Balla" by Mack 10 featuring Da Hood; "Beauty Queen" by CzarNok; "What Love Can Do" by Letoya; and "Wouldn't You Like to Ride", by Kanye West, Malik Yusef, and Common.

Following its cinematic release in theaters, the Region 1 Codewidescreen edition of the film was released on DVD in the United States on June 21, 2005. Special features for the DVD include; two commentaries: Coach Carter: The Man Behind the Movie, Fast Break at Richmond High, Deleted Scenes, Music Video: "Hope" by Twista Featuring Faith Evans, Previews and Scene Selection.[7]

A restored widescreen hi-definition Blu-ray Disc version of the film was released on December 16, 2008. Special features include; two commentaries - The Man Behind the Movie; Fast Break at Richmond High; 6 Deleted scenes; "Hope" music video by Twista featuring Faith Evans; Writing Coach Carter: The Two Man Game; Coach Carter: Making the Cut; and the theatrical trailer in HD.[8] An additional viewing option for the film in the media format of Video on demand has been made available as well.[9]

Coach Carter received generally positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a rating of 65%, based on 145 reviews, with an average score of 6.1 out of 10. The site's consensus reads: "Even though it's based on a true story, Coach Carter is pretty formulaic stuff, but it's effective and energetic, thanks to a strong central performance from Samuel L. Jackson."[10] On Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average, the film has a score of 57 out of 100, based on 36 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[11]

Coach Carterpremiered in cinemas on January 14, 2005 in wide release throughout the United States.[1] During that weekend, the film opened in 1st place grossing $24.2 million from 2,524 locations, beating out Meet the Fockers ($19.3 million).[12] The film's revenue dropped by 24% in its second week of release, earning $8,015,331. For that particular weekend, the film slipped to 5th place with a slightly higher theater count at 2,574. The thriller film Hide and Seek opened in 1st place with $21,959,233 in box office business.[13] During its final week in release, Coach Carter opened in 61st place grossing a marginal $26,554 in revenue. For that weekend period, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy starring Martin Freeman opened in 1st place with $21,103,203 in box office receipts.[14]Coach Carter went on to top out domestically at $67,264,877 in total ticket sales through an initial 16-week theatrical run.[1] For 2005 as a whole, the film would cumulatively rank at a box office performance position of 36.[15]